Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
  • B62M9/00—Transmissions characterised by use of an endless chain, belt, or the like
  • B62M9/04—Transmissions characterised by use of an endless chain, belt, or the like of changeable ratio
  • B62M9/06—Transmissions characterised by use of an endless chain, belt, or the like of changeable ratio using a single chain, belt, or the like
  • B62M9/10—Transmissions characterised by use of an endless chain, belt, or the like of changeable ratio using a single chain, belt, or the like involving different-sized wheels, e.g. rear sprocket chain wheels selectively engaged by the chain, belt, or the like
  • B62M9/14—Transmissions characterised by use of an endless chain, belt, or the like of changeable ratio using a single chain, belt, or the like involving different-sized wheels, e.g. rear sprocket chain wheels selectively engaged by the chain, belt, or the like the wheels being laterally shiftable
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K25/00—Axle suspensions
  • B62K25/02—Axle suspensions for mounting axles rigidly on cycle frame or fork, e.g. adjustably
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
  • B62K25/00—Axle suspensions
  • B62K25/02—Axle suspensions for mounting axles rigidly on cycle frame or fork, e.g. adjustably
  • B62K2025/025—Hinged axle clamps

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a selection system of the transmission gears in bicycles or the like.
• the derailleur gear system comprises a series of gear wheels of different and predefined sizes, positioned side by side, and a mechanism controlled by the rider, known as the derailleur gear, adapted to move the chain from one gear wheel to another and to keep the chain taut.
• mountain bikes generally have a maximum of ten cogs on the rear wheel and a maximum of three crown gears at the pedals, for a total of thirty possible transmission gears
• racing bikes generally have at most eleven cogs on the rear wheel and at most two crown gears at the pedals, for a maximum of twenty possible transmission gears.
• the gears are controlled by one or more special levers, by means of which it is possible to start the movement of the chain from one cog to another and/or from one crown to another.
• a first drawback is the fact that the continuous movements of the chain on the cogs and on the crown gears, together with the fact that the chain has in many cases to operate in an offset, and therefore inclined position, compared to the teeth of the cogs and of the crown gears, results in considerable wear to the chain itself.
• Another drawback is the fact that the number of maximum possible transmission gears is limited, on the one hand, by the maximum dimensions of the cogset at the hub of the rear wheel, and on the other hand by the maximum stroke and inclination of the chain with respect to the teeth, which cannot be excessive.
• Last but not least drawback is the fact that, in order to overcome all the above- mentioned problems, the chain itself and the teeth and structure of the cogs and crown gears have to be machined, shaped and sized in such a way as to facilitate the engagement of the chain on the teeth with any possible inclination, as well as to reduce the overall weight of the cogset.
• this document describes a cogset for bicycle gear systems comprising: a plurality of first mobile cogs, associated sliding and integral in rotation with the hub of a wheel of a bicycle and adapted to be moved alternately along a sliding direction between a first retracted position and a first working position, wherein they are adapted to be engaged by the bicycle chain; a plurality of second mobile cogs of different diameter compared to the first mobile cogs, associated sliding and integral in rotation with the hub and adapted to be moved between a second retracted position and a second working position, defined in the proximity of the first working position, wherein they are adapted to be engaged by the chain; movement means operationally associated with the first and second mobile cogs and adapted to move the first and second mobile cogs in succession between the first and second retracted position and the first and second working position.
• This solution is also susceptible of upgrading.
• the main aim of this invention is to devise a selection system of the transmission gears which allows the chain to be kept stationary and in line during use, while at the same time allowing the use of a large number of cogs.
• Another object of the present invention is to devise a selection system of the transmission gears in bicycles or the like which allows a simple and rapid replacement of the wheel.
• Figure 1 shows the system according to the invention installed on a bicycle and according to a first possible embodiment
• Figure 2 and Figure 3 are top and partly sectional views illustrating the movement of the cogset of Figure 1 between a first extreme position and a second extreme position;
• Figure 4 is a top and sectional view of the selection system of Figure 1 with the cogset in a first extreme position;
• Figure 5 is a top and sectional view of the selection system of Figure 1 with the cogset in a second extreme position;
• Figure 6 schematically shows removal/assembly means of a wheel of the system of Figure 1 ;
• Figures 7 and 8 show removal/assembly means of a wheel according to a possible further embodiment.
• reference numeral 1 globally indicates a selection system of the transmission gears installable on a bicycle B.
• the system 1 can be used on any conventional bicycle, to replace traditional gear selection systems.
• system 1 comprises a cogset 2 associated axially sliding with a hub 3 of a wheel R of a bicycle B.
• the hub 3 comprises a central supporting axis 13 locked together with the forks F of the bicycle B and a supporting body 7 for the wheel R which is associated revolving with the central supporting axis 13.
• the cogset 2 is locked together in rotation with the body 7 in the direction of travel and is associated axially sliding with the central supporting axis 13.
• the supporting body 7 of the wheel R is associated in a removable manner with the central supporting axis 13.
• the cogset 2 is associated with the frame T of the bicycle B, while the body 7 carrying the wheel R can be removed, e.g. for the replacement of the wheel itself.
• the cogset 2 is not associated with the wheel R but with the frame T, and the wheel R can therefore be removed independently of the cogset 2.
• the cogset 2 is provided with a plurality of cogs 4 of different sizes and arranged side by side starting from the smallest- sized cog 4a to the largest-sized cog 4b.
• the system 1 also comprises movement means 5 adapted to move the cogset 2 on the hub 3 between a first extreme position, shown in Figures 2 and 4, in which the smallest- sized cog 4a is positioned on a transmission chain C of the bicycle B, and a second extreme position, shown in Figures 3 and 5, in which the largest-sized cog 4b is positioned on the chain C.
• the cogset 2 is associated with the hub 3 with the smallest- sized cog 4a facing the wheel R and with the largest- sized cog 4b facing outwards.
• the cogset 2 is arranged between the wheel R and one of the forks F of the frame T of the bicycle B with the cogs 4 aligned from the smallest to the largest, where the smallest- sized cog 4a faces the wheel R, while the largest- sized cog 4b faces the fork F.
• the supporting body 7 of the wheel R comprises a housing 6 adapted to house partially and progressively the cogset 2 when it is moved from the first extreme position ( Figures 2 and 4) towards the second extreme position ( Figures 3 and 5).
• the housing 6 houses all the cogs 4 of the cogset 2 with the exception of the largest-sized cog 4b.
• the largest-sized cog 4b is outside the housing 6 and is engaged by the chain C.
• the housing 6 is formed inside at least one portion of the body 7 of the hub 3.
• the portion of the body 7 of the hub 3 provided with the housing 6 comprises a first flange 8 for fixing the spokes of the wheel R.
• a second flange 9 is formed at a second portion of the body 7 of the hub 3.
• the housing 6 has a substantially frusto-conical hollow shape with an increasing cross-section from the laying plane of the wheel R towards the outside, i.e. towards the fork F.
• the walls of the housing 6 are provided with a plurality of openings which are adapted to reduce the overall weight thereof.
• the system 1 comprises supporting and guiding means 10 of the cogset 2 on the hub 3, which are adapted to support the cogset 2 on the central supporting axis 13 and to guide the sliding of the cogset 2 along the longitudinal axis of the central supporting axis 13.
• the supporting and guiding means 10 comprise a straight guide element 11 associated with the central supporting axis 13 and with the body 7 and a supporting element 12 of the cogset 2 which is associated sliding with the straight guide element 11.
• the straight guide element 11 is made up of a first tubular element which is fitted axially revolving on the central supporting axis 13 of the hub 3.
• the straight guide element 11 is arranged coaxially with respect to the central supporting axis 13 and is provided with sliding coupling means with the supporting element 12.
• these sliding coupling means may comprise at least one external longitudinal groove/projection of the straight guide element 11 to which at least one internal longitudinal projection/groove of the supporting element 12 can be coupled in a sliding manner.
• the supporting element 12 is made up of a second tubular element provided with the cogset 2 and fitted axially sliding on the first tubular element 11.
• the second tubular element 12 is provided on the inner surface of said at least one internal longitudinal projection/groove coupled sliding to the external longitudinal groove/projection of the first tubular element 11.
• the supporting and guiding means 10 comprise at least one free wheel mechanism 14 operatively interposed between the hub 3 and the cogset 2.
• the free wheel mechanism 14 is operatively interposed between the straight guide element 11 and the body 7.
• the supporting and guiding means 10 comprise a plurality of bearings 15 interposed between the inner surface of the first tubular element 11 and the outer surface of the central supporting axis 13.
• the movement means 5 of the system 1 comprise push/pull elastic means 16 of the cogset 2.
• the elastic means 6 are operatively interposed between the cogset 2 and the fork F of the frame T of the bicycle B.
• the movement means 5 comprise a push/pull element 17 of the cogset 2 associated axially sliding with the straight guide element 11, and the elastic means 16 are operatively interposed between the push/pull element 17 and the fork F of the frame T.
• the cogset 2 is locked together with the push/pull element 17 along a sliding direction on the straight guide element 11 and is free to rotate with respect to the push/pull element 17 around this sliding direction.
• the movement means 5 comprise at least one bearing 18 operatively interposed between the cogset 2 and the push/pull element 17.
• the push/pull element 17 is housed inside the supporting element 12 and the bearing 18 is interposed between the internal surface of the supporting element 12 and the external surface of the push/pull element 17.
• the elastic means 16 comprise at least one thrust spring.
• the elastic means 16 are made up of a pair of thrust springs positioned side by side and interposed between the frame and the push/pull element 15.
• the elastic means 16 operate to bring the cogset 2 from the second extreme position towards the first extreme position. In this way, therefore, the elastic means 16 operate during the shift of the chain C from a larger cog 4 to a smaller cog 4. Conveniently, in this way the elastic means 16 must carry out a minimum push/pull operation.
• the movement means 5 cannot be ruled out in which, for example, the movement is carried out by means of motorized actuators or the like.
• the movement means could comprise an electronically-controlled internal mechanism, for moving the push/pull element 17.
• the gearshift cable (not shown in the figures) is connected to the push/pull element 17 for dragging the cogset 2 towards the first extreme position, counteracting the operation of the elastic means 16.
• the gearshift cable is adapted to pull the cogset 2 between the first extreme position and the second extreme position. This way, therefore, the cable operates in traction during the shift of the chain C from a smaller cog 4 to a larger cog 4. Conveniently, therefore, the required force can be applied manually by the cyclist.
• the system 1 comprises quick assembly/removal means for assembling/removing the wheel R onto/from the hub 3, independently of the cogset 2, globally indicated in the figures with reference numeral 19.
• a first possible embodiment of the quick assembly/removal means 19 is shown in Figure 6.
• FIG. 7 A second possible embodiment of the quick assembly/removal means is shown in Figures 7 and 8. It is pointed out how the quick assembly/removal means 19 are necessary in order to obtain quick and easy removal and assembly of a wheel R on a bicycle provided with the system 1 according to the invention.
• the quick assembly/removal means 19 comprise at least one unlocking/locking element 20 of the supporting body 7 of the wheel R with respect to a fork F of the frame T of the bicycle B.
• the quick assembly/removal means 19 comprise rotation means 21 for rotating the fork F with respect to the rest of the frame T between a first locking position, in which one end of the fork F is approached and locked on the axis 13 of the hub 3 by means of the unlocking/locking element 20, and a removal position, in which the end of the fork F is unlocked and rotated with respect to the frame T and moved away from the axis 13 of the hub 3 for the removal of the wheel R.
• the fork F is hinged to the tubular S of the frame T which carries the saddle.
• the rotation means 21 are preferably composed of one or more hinges arranged between the fork F and the tubular S of the frame T.
• the rotation means 21 comprise at least one elastically flexible element 2 made along at least one stretch of one of the forks F.
• the rotation means comprise a first and a second elastically flexible element 2 made along the respective stretches of the low lining Fl and of the high lining F2 of one of the rear forks F of the bicycle B, respectively.
• the first and second elastically flexible elements 2 connect the low lining Fl and the high lining F2 to the tubular S of the frame T.
• the elastically flexible elements 2 are made of respective plates of elastically flexible metal, preferably titanium.
• each metal plate 2 is preformed to keep the fork F in the removal position. This way, when the unlocking/locking element 20 is removed, the fork F, and therefore the low lining Fl and the high lining F2, is automatically brought to the removal position. Once the wheel R has been replaced, the fork F can be returned to the locking position by applying a push. This makes it possible to further speed up and simplify the removal and assembly of a wheel. Rotation means of a different type cannot however be ruled out.
• the rotation means can provide for the use of a rotatable element axially housed inside the tubular S of the bicycle B, connected to one of the rear forks F through suitable openings made on the tubular S itself.
• the system 1 comprises at least one disc brake system 22, as shown in the figures from 1 to 6.
• the disc brake system 22 comprises a disc 23 which is associated in a removable manner with the hub 3 and a clamp 24 adapted to be closed on the disc 23 during braking.
• the quick assembly/removal means 19 comprise coupling/release means 25 of the disc 23 to/from the hub 3.
• the coupling/release means are made up of mechanical coupling means.
• the coupling/release means 25 comprise a plurality of pins formed on the internal surface of the disc 23, which are adapted to be fitted by interlocking into respective seats formed on the hub 3.
• the system 1 comprises at least one bearing 26 fitted between a backing 27 at the end of the fork F and the disc 23.
• the system 1 can comprise quick assembly/removal means similar to those described above and installed at the front forks of the bicycle B.
• the system 1 can comprise a chain tensioner suitably associated with the fork F and adapted to maintain the correct tension of the chain for each of the selected transmission gears.
• the system according to the invention allows keeping the chain stationary and in line during use, while at the same time allowing the use of a large number of cogs.
• the particular arrangement of the cogs with the smallest- sized cog arranged in the proximity of the wheel and the largest-sized cog arranged towards the fork, together with the presence of the particular housing for the cogset made on the wheel hub, allow the use and movement of a large number of cogs, while at the same time ensuring simple, fast and effective transmission gear selection and a pleasant aesthetic impact.
• the quick assembly/removal means of the system according to the invention make it possible to considerably simplify and speed up wheel removal and replacement operations.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Steering Devices For Bicycles And Motorcycles (AREA)
• Gear Transmission (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=61187713

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2017
  • 2017-10-17 IT IT102017000116847A patent/IT201700116847A1/it unknown
• 2018
  • 2018-10-17 WO PCT/IB2018/058062 patent/WO2019077526A1/en unknown
  • 2018-10-17 CN CN201880081373.2A patent/CN111683868A/zh active Pending
  • 2018-10-17 US US16/756,858 patent/US20210188397A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2018-10-17 EP EP18800764.5A patent/EP3697678A1/en not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (2)

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